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Average Price: All items on are under 3 JDs. Average 1.5 JDs.

We admit it, Cups & Kilos is our favorite coffeeplace in town, beating even international star coffeehouses like Starbucks. Their coffee, in both varieties of hot and cold, is awesome, and they have many just-as-delicious options for people who would opt to stay away from all the caffeine including smoothies and Italian soda (a personal favorite). Plus, we gotta support the local initiatives ;)

We would recommend you try their Caramella de France coffee, Raspberry Italian Soda, and brownies.

Location: Abdoun / Jabal Amman
Reservations: No
Phone:no idea

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That anyone who appreciates Western-style steaks has never had the pleasure of experiencing the tender, savory goodness of Kharoof Ma7shi (stuffed mutton). That Blue Fig is one of the most overrated places in the world. That Ctrl + 8 does wonders in Illustrator.

A couple of weeks ago we were driving around behind Mecca Mall and we came upon this harrowing sight. It is unbelievable that in the 21st century where education is compulsory for all school-age children and is free of charge, gypsy children are roaming in garbage cans. The gypsies have set up a small “camp” a few streets down to where I shot this video. Someone seriously needs to take a serious step to put at end to such things.

I have set up a little linguistic survey that I’d really appreciate if you fill up and forward to friends. The survey has 15 words we use often in Jordan, written in both Arabic and English, with the meaning next to them. I would appreciate it if you take the time to tick each word that is an active PART of your local dialect, ex. being familiar with it is not enough. Please also be very careful with which country you associate your dialect with, for example, if you are a Palestinian living in Jordan, try to choose the country that you think you picked most of your dialect from.

Last year when I was in Egypt, I was very overtaken by how HOT it was. So every few minutes, I would burst into a rage of “Kteeer showb hown!” Then, on my fourth and final day in Egypt, an Egyptian friend asks me, “Before you leave, can I ask you one question? What does ‘Showb’ mean?” I was amused. It had never occurred to me that “Showb”, a word we often use for “hot”, isn’t actually Arabic.

The case is the same for many other words we use. For example, it is very probable that the word “Mnarfez”, which means anxious, came from the English word “Nervous.” Khalaf has a little post about Arabized English in Jordan, and Ahmed has a similar post about language in Saudi Arabia. Being of mixed background and having lived in Saudi Arabia myself, I have my own hoard of words that most Jordanians do not use, such as “7assabet”, “bishweish”, and “Ja7ad”.

Arabic is very fascinating, and I would really appreciate it if you fill up the survey and forward it to your friends. I am especially interested in the answers of people from countries other than Jordan and Palestine. I am also interested in the answers of people who speak Hebrew.

You can find the words in the comment section too. Thanks a lot! :)

Take the Survey Here

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First, here’s a review by my friend:

The Milano experience was excellent , but with a few little things that hurt its overall rating. The loud noises from the next door construction site may ruin the fanciful atmosphere you seek when going for an Italian dinner.

The overall setting of the place was very cozy (although I preferred the table covers when they where checkered red and white, other than the current green and white), and the chairs were not very comfortable.

The food was good,  but make sure to avoid the Palmito Salad (we still cannot decide if that was actually palmito slices or boiled egg whites), but the staff did not mind replacing it and they suggested a delicious Greek salad with an excellent dressing (although we kept wondering why all their salads are served warm) . The fettuccini was the best we had in Amman and the Salmon was good, but not exactly worth its cost.

I will also chime in with my own 2 cents: Milano was one of the restaurant landmarks of Amman at a point in the early 90′s when the locals first started getting acquainted with the “eating out” culture. Sadly, other restaurants that opened around the same period and which had its status have mostly either gone out of business (Mama Mia, Leonardo Da Vinci) or turned into nightclubs (New York, New York, Alfredo).

Although I’ve heard people talk nostalgically about first dates in Milano when it was one of the most expensive restaurants in town, last night was the first time I try it, and I daresay that the place is quite enchanting. We sat outside in the courtyard, where a faded out attempt at an Italian-style wall mural that covers the fence has started looking like an ancient fresco and where the facades of the building itself are covered with gorgeous evergreen foliage. The cobblestone floor, the dim lights, and the effortlessly graceful airs of the restaurant are lacking in the newer Ammanite Italian eateries. Empty but for 3 tables, it is easy to imagine the happier days of the courtyard of Milano; the crowded energy, the chaos of voices and tinkling glasses, and waiters bustling all over the place.

I really enjoyed the time we spent there, and will definitely visit it again; if not for the lovely ambiance at the courtyard and the very good pasta, then for how I feel when I am at Milano. It reminds me of all the good things I used to love about Amman as a child, it reminds me of my parents taking us out for dinner to Tom and Jerry’s down the street from Milano, and of the first time I tried fettuccine.

Personally recommended item: Fettuccine Alfredo with Mushrooms.

                                                       
                

Location: Shmesani, Culture Street subsidiary street
Reservations: No
Phone: (06) 5680670

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